Dr Rajeev Varshney, Research Program Director – Grain Legumes was recognized by the Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) for his services as its Theme Leader for Comparative Genomics since 2007, and congratulated him on receiving the Young Crop Scientist for 2013 Award from the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA).

GCP Director Dr Jean-Marcel Ribaut presented Dr Varshney with a plaque for his “services, dedication and commitment to the Generation Challenge Program (2007-2013) as he valiantly led the GCP genomics effort with an infectious enthusiasm which took GCP’s mission beyond new frontiers.” Dr Ribaut acknowledged Dr Varshney’s contribution to converting orphan crops into genomic resource-rich crops and for developing the draft genomes for chickpea and pigeonpea.